A few years back, at an outreach party we threw at an apartment complex, as we were explaining the Gospel, the teacher held up a cross and asked, “Do you know what this is? We all fully expected the kids to shout - the cross. But that’s not what we heard. The loudest, most confident voice declared, “It’s a T.” What we see as our hope, the boy saw as just another letter of the alphabet. At first glance, the cross looks like a 'T'—a simple shape. But in reality, it is the greatest turning point in history. The place where love conquered sin and eternal life was made possible."
So, what do you see when you see the cross?
Love and Life Are Found on the Cross
In 1 John 1:1-2, John opens his letter by declaring the physical reality of Jesus Christ—“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim the eternal life with the Father and has appeared to us.” This passage is crucial for Easter because it reminds us that Jesus’ life was not just a concept to be believed in; He was real, alive, and touchable. Jesus physically died on the cross and physically rose again from the grave. His resurrection is the proof of His victory over sin and death.
But this is not just a theological reality—it is an invitation to live the resurrection life every day. The cross is not just where we receive salvation; it is also where we return daily for grace and renewal as we follow Him more closely. So, what do you see when you see the cross?
Victory and Life Are Found on the Cross
The cross is where love conquered sin, and eternal life became possible for all who believed. In 1 John 1:3-5, John writes, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sins and offered forgiveness through His blood, but the resurrection proves that He has the power to give us new life. Eternal life is not just a future hope but something we experience now. This eternal life is found only through Jesus, and it is only through the resurrection that we are invited into a relationship with God.
Because of the resurrection, we don't just know about God—we can know God personally. Eternal life begins the moment we put our faith in Jesus, and this life gives us fellowship with God, His Son, and with each other as believers.
The Power and Call to Change Are Found on the Cross
In 1 John 1:5-7, we read, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Jesus' death on the cross offers forgiveness and cleansing from our sin. God's love is so powerful that it not only saves us from sin but also transforms us. When we accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, we are called to live as children of the light, walking in obedience to Him and reflecting His love to the world.
Easter isn’t just a one-time event we celebrate annually; it shapes how we live every day. Jesus's resurrection enables us to live in His light, leaving behind the darkness of sin, fear, and separation from God.
Grace and Mercy Are Found On the Cross
While Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was once and for all, our return to Him is ongoing. In 1 John 1:8-10, we read, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word is not in us.”
The resurrection allows us to return to the cross again and again, not because we are condemned but because we are forgiven. The cross isn’t just where we find salvation—it’s where we find grace and renewal every day. As we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive, purify, and help us walk in the new life He offers.
Easter reminds us that we have a Savior who died for us and lives in us. His love calls us to continue to follow Him—to return to the cross, receive forgiveness, and live as His disciples.
What Do You See When You See the Cross?
So, what do you see when you see the cross? Is it just a simple 'T', or do you see love, life, and a Savior who is calling you to follow Him? The cross is a powerful symbol of sacrifice, forgiveness, and new life; it is where we experience God's love in its fullest form.
Living the gospel isn’t a one-time encounter with Jesus; it’s a lifelong pursuit of becoming more like Him. Jesus is our advocate; He intercedes for us before the Father. His resurrection ensures that we can walk confidently in our salvation and that we can be changed by His love every day.
This Easter, take a moment to reflect on the cross and what it means for your life. The resurrection offers eternal life and invites us to live in the light, love one another as Jesus loved, and return to the cross daily for grace and renewal.
So, what do you see when you see the cross?
Love and Life Are Found on the Cross
In 1 John 1:1-2, John opens his letter by declaring the physical reality of Jesus Christ—“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim the eternal life with the Father and has appeared to us.” This passage is crucial for Easter because it reminds us that Jesus’ life was not just a concept to be believed in; He was real, alive, and touchable. Jesus physically died on the cross and physically rose again from the grave. His resurrection is the proof of His victory over sin and death.
But this is not just a theological reality—it is an invitation to live the resurrection life every day. The cross is not just where we receive salvation; it is also where we return daily for grace and renewal as we follow Him more closely. So, what do you see when you see the cross?
Victory and Life Are Found on the Cross
The cross is where love conquered sin, and eternal life became possible for all who believed. In 1 John 1:3-5, John writes, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sins and offered forgiveness through His blood, but the resurrection proves that He has the power to give us new life. Eternal life is not just a future hope but something we experience now. This eternal life is found only through Jesus, and it is only through the resurrection that we are invited into a relationship with God.
Because of the resurrection, we don't just know about God—we can know God personally. Eternal life begins the moment we put our faith in Jesus, and this life gives us fellowship with God, His Son, and with each other as believers.
The Power and Call to Change Are Found on the Cross
In 1 John 1:5-7, we read, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Jesus' death on the cross offers forgiveness and cleansing from our sin. God's love is so powerful that it not only saves us from sin but also transforms us. When we accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, we are called to live as children of the light, walking in obedience to Him and reflecting His love to the world.
Easter isn’t just a one-time event we celebrate annually; it shapes how we live every day. Jesus's resurrection enables us to live in His light, leaving behind the darkness of sin, fear, and separation from God.
Grace and Mercy Are Found On the Cross
While Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was once and for all, our return to Him is ongoing. In 1 John 1:8-10, we read, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word is not in us.”
The resurrection allows us to return to the cross again and again, not because we are condemned but because we are forgiven. The cross isn’t just where we find salvation—it’s where we find grace and renewal every day. As we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive, purify, and help us walk in the new life He offers.
Easter reminds us that we have a Savior who died for us and lives in us. His love calls us to continue to follow Him—to return to the cross, receive forgiveness, and live as His disciples.
What Do You See When You See the Cross?
So, what do you see when you see the cross? Is it just a simple 'T', or do you see love, life, and a Savior who is calling you to follow Him? The cross is a powerful symbol of sacrifice, forgiveness, and new life; it is where we experience God's love in its fullest form.
Living the gospel isn’t a one-time encounter with Jesus; it’s a lifelong pursuit of becoming more like Him. Jesus is our advocate; He intercedes for us before the Father. His resurrection ensures that we can walk confidently in our salvation and that we can be changed by His love every day.
This Easter, take a moment to reflect on the cross and what it means for your life. The resurrection offers eternal life and invites us to live in the light, love one another as Jesus loved, and return to the cross daily for grace and renewal.
Posted in Easter 2025